Press Release

State House Ceremony Honors Bunker Hill Community College Graduate

Friday, May 11, 2012

Leticia do Prado, a Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) graduate, was one of 29 outstanding 2012 graduates of Massachusetts community colleges, state universities and the University of Massachusetts honored for both academic achievement and community service at a State House ceremony held on May 10. The State House ceremony was attended by Governor Deval Patrick and state education officials.

Leticia do Prado was selected because of her success in overcoming numerous obstacles to obtaining her education and for her academic excellence, leadership and service to her community. As a child in Brazil, at the age of 15, she had to care for her younger brother and provide for their household, while her mother traveled to the United States to find work. When Leticia joined her mother in Malden, MA, thanks to the dual enrollment program, she took classes both at Malden High School and BHCC, where she has thrived. She has been President of the Brazilian Club, a member of the Women's Soccer team, an Orientation Mentor, Student Government Representative to the BHCC College Forum, and Vice President of Service for Phi Theta Kappa.

In fall 2011, Leticia was selected as a 2012 Coca-Cola Silver Scholar. Selection was based on scores earned in the All-USA Community College Academic Team Competition, for which more than 1,700 applications were received. The program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and administered by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Leticia plans to transfer to a four-year institution of higher education, where she will pursue studies in clinical psychology.

Media Contact:


About Bunker Hill Community College
Bunker Hill Community College is the largest community college in Massachusetts, enrolling approximately 18,000 students annually. BHCC has two campuses in Charlestown and Chelsea, and a number of other locations throughout the Greater Boston area. BHCC is one of the most diverse institutions of higher education in Massachusetts. Sixty-five percent of the students are people of color and more than half of BHCC's students are women. The College also enrolls nearly 600 international students who come from 94 countries and speak more than 75 languages.